Dispensing device



NOV. l, 1932. G. p, KEAN y 1,886,106

DI SPENS ING DEVIC E Filed Jan. 30, 1952 INVENTOR y 3&6@ WM,MM

Patented Nov. 1, 1932 GERALD J?. REAN, OF HOMESTEAD, PENNSYLVANIA DISPENSING DEVICE Application mea January so, i932'. serial No. 589,956.

My invention relates to a device for dispensing liquids and solids and, in particular, to a device of this character which is suitable for use in restaurants, lunch counters, and the ci like.

Dispensing devices of the character in question as previously constructed have been characterized by numerous objections so that their use has not been general, even though the det@ sirability of such devices is generally recognized. .In the prior devices of thiskind with which I am familiar, diihculty is experienced because of clogging of the spout or mouth of the dispenser. The control of thel iiow of material from the device, furthermore, is diii'icult and is largely a matter of accident.

In addition, these devices as .known heretofore have been diicult to keep clean and sanitary with the result that restaurant patrons object to their use.

I have invented a dispenser for solids or liquids which overcome the foregoing objections to present structures. All possibility of clogging or jamming of the material in the delivery spout is removed and a positive control of the flow of material at all times is afforded. The device can readily be cleaned and sterilized so that it may be kept sanitary with ease. The device is adapted for dispensing solids whether large or small, such as sugar or the small size crackers usually served with soup, or for liquids such as syrup or ketchup.v`

In accordance with my invention, I provide a dispensing device comprising a receptacle, preferably of lass, of a size and shape suitable to the article to be dispensed. The receptacle has a threaded mouth for receiving a dispenser cover or head. The latter comprises a cone threaded for cooperation with the receptacle. .At the end of the cone, a tapering spout is mounted thereon by a tubular connecting portion. A sliding disc valve is adapted to reciprocate in guides for closing the tubular portion. An operating linkage is carried on the cone for withdrawing the valve. An' extension of the operating mech- .anism facilitates operation of the valve by the foreiinger, for example, of a hand holding the device. Further novel features and advantages of the construction will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

For a complete understanding of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawing illustrating a present preferred embodiment. It is to be understood, of course, that changes in the size, proportion and details of construction may be made within the scope of my broader claims.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a sectional View taken vertically through the aXis of a dispensing device ac- Y cording to the present invention, certain details thereof being shown-in elevation;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the structure 65 as would be seen by looking thereon from the right in Figure 2, with portions removed;

Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line III-III of Figure l; and

h ,Fdigure 4 is a bottom view of the dispensing 7o Referring in detail to the drawing, my dispenser, indicated generally at 10, comprises a receptacle 1l having a threaded Vmouth 12. The receptacle may be of any suitable material and of any desired size and shape, depending upon the material to be dispensed. I prefer. glass or similar material, because of the ease with which it may be cleaned. A dispenser head or cover 13 comprises a cone shaped por- 80 tion 14, a tapering spout 15 and a tubular connecting portion 16 therebetween. The lower rim of the cone 14 is threaded at 17 so that it may be screwed on the mouth of the receptacle 1l. The cone 14 and the tubular portion 16 85 may be formed integrally and the spout l5 is threaded on the tubular portion 16. A grid 18, formed b crossed wires, extends over the lower end o the cone 14 for the purpose of preventing jamming of the material to be dispensed in the body of the cone. The grid tends to break up lumps or collections of the articles being dispensed so as to insure a smooth iow of material from the spout l5 at 'all times. Obviously,'the grid 18 has utility .95

only in connection with the dispension of solids.

The tubular portion 16 of the head 13 is provided with a transverseslot 19 and guides 20 for receiving a iiow controlling plate or lill' valve 21. The end of the plate is shaped to conform to the linterior of the tubular ortion 16 and to make a close fit therewith. guide rod 22 extends radially from the head at a oint adjacent the intersection of the tubuar portion 16 and the cone 14. A iin er 23 is secured to the lower face of the va ve 21 and projects downwardl therefrom. The er has a hole for receiving the rod 22 on which it is adapted to slide back and forth.

A bifurcated stud 24 is secured to the lower portion of the cone 14 and constitutes a bearlng for alever 25 hinged thereto on a pin 26.

The lever 25 has an eye 26 which, with a piny ,5 27 traversing the eye formed by the turned up end of the finger 23, constitutes a pivotal connection between the valve 21 and the lever 25. The lower end of the lever 25 curv outwardly and is provided with finger stops 28. The curvature and dimensions of the lower end of the lever 25 are suoli as to afford a convenient rip for the foreiinger of the hand in which t e dispenser is held. A leaf spring 29 bears against the lever 25 for maintaining the valve 21 closed. The stationary end of the leaf spring 29 is received on the rod 22 and bears against the inner surface of a cover 30 secured on the rod and against the cone 14. and tubular portion 16by a nut 31. w Figure 2 shows the dispenser head with the pin 26, the spring 29, the cover 30 and the nut 31 removed. This figure shows the guidesf20 projecting outwardly from the tubular portion 16 and the valve plate 21 slidably carried therein. As will be seen in Figure 4, the pin 26 projects through the sides of the cover 30 and forms an additional securing means therefor. l

It will be apparent from the foregoing dey scription that the invention constitutes a marked improvement upon dispensing devices of this character known heretofore. In addition to the advantages already pointed out, the construction of the valve is such that ,5 binding or jamming thereof in its guides is practically impossible. The valvel 21' is guided not only by its guides but also by the rod 22 so that it is always maintained in roper alignment for easy reciprocation.

mooth and easy operation of the valve by means of the forefnger engaging the lower portion of the lever is, therefore, always possible. The valve 21^eifects a positive conoiI a stream of solid particles or liqui device is also of simple construction so that it can be manufactured at a relatively low cost. -It is attractive in appearance, is not .m likely to get out of order and will, therefore,

normally have a long useful life.

Although I have illustrated and described herein but one present preferred embodiment vof the invention, it will be obvious that other 06 embodiments can be made without departing trol of the fiow of material and sharply cuts The from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a dispensing device, a s out, and a 'conduit leading thereto, a valve or said con- 7( duit and means for guiding said valve including guideways and a ide rod extend# ing radially of said conduit, and a member secured to said valve and slidable on said guide rod.

2. In a dispensing device, a rece tacle, a dispensing head removably secure thereto having a throat portion,a reciprocable slide for closin said throat portion, and guides for said s ide comprising guideways and a guide-rod extending laterally from ,said throat portion, said slide having a portion reciprocable on said rod.

3. A dispensing head adapted to be removably secured to a receptacle, including a throat portion, a slide for said throat portion, a guide rod extending therefrom, a finger projecting from said slide and engaging said rod, and an operating lever pivoted to said head and connected to said finger for 90 `operating the slide.

4. A dlspensing head for receptacles, comprising a conical portionhaving a cylindrical bottom threaded for removable enga ement with a threaded receptacle mouth, a cy indrical portion surmounting said conical portion, a spout screwed on to said cylindrical portion, a valve member slidable in guides extending laterallyvfrom said c lindrical portion, an an operating lever or said mem- 10( ber pivoted to said conical portion.

5. A dispensing head for receptacles, comprising a conical portion with a cylindrical ottom having means for removably engaging a receptacle mouth, a cylindrical ortion lo" above said conical ort1on, a removab e spout on said cylindrica ortion, and a ate slidable in uides extending laterally o said cylindrica portion.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 11 my hand.

GERALD P. KEAN. 

